Paper Round: Sneijder 'wants to join United'

Posted Wednesday, March 30, 2011 by UK.eurosport.yahoo.com

He was the star man on the Internazionale team that won the Champions League last season before helping the Netherlands reach the World Cup final last summer.

Yes, there is no doubt that Wesley Sneijder is a quality player; it would be understandable if Manchester United fans were excited by a back page exclusive in today's Mirror which has the headline: "Sneijder: I want to join Man Utd."

But before United fans rush to the Old Trafford club shop to get the 26-year-old's name printed on the back of their shirts, it might be advisable to read the story - for it contains no quotes whatsoever from the Dutchman.

Instead we are told: "The Mirror understands the classy Dutch midfielder has now decided the time is right to move on from the rigid constraints of Italian football and try the Premier League, which he has always admitted was a lure for him.

"United have been made aware of the player's intentions, and have already been encouraged to make an offer serious enough to persuade cash-strapped Inter to sell."

I think we will probably need a bit more before we start announcing this pursuit as fact.

A lot of papers are discussing the prospect of Brazil star Neymar, who starred at the Emirates against Scotland last weekend, joining Chelsea in the summer.

However, the Daily Star reckons it is another Brazilian ace they are after - Shakhtar Donetsk's Willian – with the paper claiming that the Blues are ready to go head-to-head with Barcelona for the 22-year-old's signature. The Star says that Willian is a forward but he is actually more of a winger/attacking midfielder and, despite the high asking price, he has yet to be capped by the Brazil national team.

According the Daily Mail, Tottenham are set to seal the signing of World Cup star Miroslav Klose on a free transfer from Bayern Munich in the summer.

Lucas Leiva has never been the most popular player at Anfield, but the Liverpool midfielder could finally be on his way out in the summer with Napoli linked with a £3 million move. The Reds would then sign Blackpool's Charlie Adam as his replacement.

Arsenal have Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer on their wish-list this summer, according to the Mail. There are two stumbling blocks to a potential move though: one is the £22m asking price and the other is the fact that Bayern Munich are also reportedly after the German international.

On Monday, Blackburn confirmed they were interested in signing former Manchester United ace Ruud van Nistelrooy on a free transfer from Hamburg in the summer. 'Free' is a bit of a misnomer though as the Dutch striker would demand £4m a year in wages, according to the Mail.

And finally, Birmingham City have joined Rangers in the race to sign Dundee United's highly-rated striker David Goodwillie.